Calgary, AB – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that a total of 64 current CHL players are listed on official International Ice Hockey Federation rosters and will be competing in the 2012 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship beginning today in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta.

The 64 players includes a representative from all 10 participating countries including Canada who leads the way with 19 CHL players followed by the Czech Republic with ten players, Switzerland and the United States each with seven players, Russia and Slovakia each with six players, Sweden with four players, Finland and Latvia each with two players, and one player from Denmark.

In addition to the 64 current CHL players, two competing players are CHL graduates currently with NHL clubs including former Prince George Cougar Brett Connolly, while another 10 players participated in the 2011 SUBWAY Super Series with Team Russia.

The Ontario Hockey League leads the way with 30 players competing in the tournament followed by the Western Hockey League with 18 players, and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with 16 players. 38 of the CHL’s 59 clubs are represented in the event with the OHL’s Niagara IceDogs producing a CHL-high four competing players, all of which are on Team Canada.

Last season, 55 CHL players competed in the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo, New York.

The 2012 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship begins today with four games including Team Canada against Team Finland at 3:30 pm Eastern at Rexall Place in Edmonton.